Who has left the Military and is still passionate about their Health & Fitness ?

2015-07-22T06:38:25-04:00

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 22 at 2015 7:52 AM

2015-07-22T07:52:39-04:00

One of the keys to a long and healthy life, I hope that a ton of folks are in this boat. Physical fitness in the military is one thing, but my drive to stay in shape and maintain a healthy lifestyle is my own.

Have a great morning RP, I have to go RUN!

Response by COL Mikel J. Burroughs made Jul 22 at 2015 7:54 AM

2015-07-22T07:54:06-04:00

CW2 Michael Berthiaume I still very much care about it, but I don't have the time I really want to work on it like I did when I was in the military. Instead here is what I do. I walk about 2.9 miles every morning with my better half (great communication time and it make me feel like I'm doing something); I eat right as best I can. I've cut out all caffeine completely from diet, mix up my meat groups, eat vetegables each day, and drink plenty of Grapefruit juice at each meal, along with plenty of water. I do eat some fruits that are low in carbs. I've pretty much cut out the carbs. At 58 I weigh 173 pounds at 5'9" and feel great. Can I do more - yes, but I'm retired from the military LOL!

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 22 at 2015 8:00 AM

2015-07-22T08:00:30-04:00

I've actually found that, since leaving the military, I'm healthier than I was while I was in. Due to schedule constraints, especially while in the training squadron, I often found myself grabbing fast food in the few minutes I had between briefings. I'd grab a soda for the caffeine to keep moving. I'd hit the snack bar and grab a bag of Cheetos because I had to stay later than I had expected and needed something to get me through to dinner. Now, I can better plan my meals to avoid hunger dictating I eat something RIGHT NOW. I can more easily prepare and store healthier options, and find the need to "grab something quickly" from a drive in much less frequent.

On the PT side, I now have the freedom to do the exercises that actually benefit my lifestyle and body/mind, rather than sticking to what will help me pass the test. I have ankle and hip injuries, so running isn't great for me as a standard exercise. However, to pass a run for a PT test, the best thing you can do is RUN. Now I incorporate lower impact exercises, more lean muscle building and toning, and cardio workouts more in line with what my body can handle. As a result, I have less injury, and find the workouts more enjoyable, and I actually end up dedicating more time to fitness as a result.

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Jul 22 at 2015 8:00 AM

2015-07-22T08:00:39-04:00

I exercise regularly. I like how I feel after! It's a habit the militay started and I appreciate it. It keeps me mentally sharp and physically fit.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Jul 22 at 2015 8:48 AM

2015-07-22T08:48:59-04:00

I like food. It's one of my few real pleasures. That said, I realize food is fuel, it the most basic sense therefore I have to use that fuel for something therefore I run. Not because I enjoy it. I don't. I loathe running. Absolutely despise it, but I loathe it less than I loathe the alternatives.

So I run about 15 halves and 2 marathons a year, and as a challenge I try to sneak in an ultra so I don't get complacent.

This let's me keep my weight off, and enjoy what I love. Food.

Response by CW2 Michael Berthiaume made Jul 22 at 2015 8:51 AM

2015-07-22T08:51:11-04:00

For some reason I picked up running since I retired. Between running and P90X, I've been able to run a Few Halfs and 1 Full marathon, Marine Corp Marathon, at that. Hooah. I see the state of Health across America and it really concerns me. We have an Obesity Epedemic going on and I don't wanna fall in that status. Eating right and working out has kept me off all Cholesterol and every other Medicines for the last 3 years and that's a Great feeling.

Response by PV2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 22 at 2015 8:59 AM

2015-07-22T08:59:16-04:00

I gained a lot of weight after getting out but since 2010 I have lost A LOT of weight. About 2 years ago, I discovered kickboxing and Muay Thai. I love it, I crave it, and I can't go without it. Though not quite at my goal weight, I'm getting closer every day. I am leaner, stronger, and can readily defend myself if need be without a weapon. I enjoy good food and drink as well and allow myself to indulge from time to time.
I recently took part in a fundraiser at my gym to raise money for the Nepalese Earthquake victims, and threw 6,220 punches in 30 mins. I wasn't able to do that even when I was in the Army. Fitness has become a way of life for me.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 22 at 2015 9:52 AM

2015-07-22T09:52:35-04:00

All day, every day. I try to do something that keeps me active!

Response by TSgt Kevin Buccola made Jul 22 at 2015 9:53 AM

2015-07-22T09:53:40-04:00

I still exercise and the profile pic is outdated - My biggest issue is having to pay for a fitness center I have a membership for the family and its expensive, but the good new is we use it. I miss the fitness centers on base.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 22 at 2015 10:33 AM

2015-07-22T10:33:44-04:00

After retiring i thought id Give it up, but joined TKD classes with my son years ago (something to do with him) earned a 3d BB, my son stopped going i got tired of instructing a couple of years later. now im at the gym at least 3 times a week and lifting more than i ever did when i was a young man. Yep im a little obsessed with keeping my body strong and healthy, after all i want to see my grandchildren grow and be a part of thier life. (no grand children yet, got to get the son married off).

Response by CW2 Michael Berthiaume made Jul 29 at 2015 5:11 AM

2015-07-29T05:11:45-04:00

I Do have a Facebook Fitness group for Fitness minded Folks. We are all doing Beachbody programs like 21 Day Fix, Body Beast, Insanity. You are welcome to join us if you need some Fitness Comraderie and support.

Response by SGT Rick Ash made Aug 2 at 2015 10:32 PM

2015-08-02T22:32:10-04:00

Sherman, set the Wayback machine to 1979! That's when I got out but there was no PT in Korea, or Germany and at Redstone Arsenal AL there might have been a few "jumping jacks" in morning formation and if you were lucky a quick 50 pushups. Not quite enough to break a sweat.
In August of 1079 when we moved back to Huntsville, AL for a new job for the both of us we joined Golds Gym. Great personal trainers that roamed the gym to insure exercises were done correctly. I always did an hour of cardio then alternated upper / lower body every other day. I'm 6'5" ans weigh 220 right now.

I have always liked free weights and, a lat pull-down machine. I developed a routine that I stayed with up until this very day. Many Golds Gyms later we have been at this one since 1/2005. 2004 was my pancreatic cancer year with diagnosis, Whipple Procedure and 6 months of 24/7 chemo. I lost down to 168 pounds and at 6'5" I looked like a walking skeleton. No body fat left but I maintained a lot of muscle by lowering total weight and number of reps. I beat it! Check the stats, almost no one beats pancreatic.

1/2 mile running out our gravel drive, then back then out and back again is 2 miles. We run in every Marathon that comes around and my garage is half tack room and half weight room. We still go to Golds 5 days a week. After 10 years we still eat lots of raw veggies, bran and fruit for breakfast then a 6 oz cut of prime steak with a green, yellow and white veggie for an early supper.

We still take 2 top notch pro-biotic caplets, Vitamins D & Fish Oil plus a chewable Vitamin C. I'm 62, she's 61 but no wrinkles for either of us and we look like we are 40. Having 33 horses takes 2 hours using the SxS before dark 7 days a week. An hour nap before 11 and we stay up late and watch TV with no phones, no computers and disturbances. We get up around 9-10 every day. We're healthy!

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 5 at 2015 4:17 PM

2015-08-05T16:17:49-04:00

Shortly before I turned 41, the senior civilian full timer at my Army Reserve unit asked me to run the web site for the taekwondo school of which she was assistant Master. I agreed, and she told me I could then take classes for free, and only pay for testing and equipment.

My response: "Take classes? Taekwondo? Are you serious? I'm 40!".

Here I am, 7 years later, a 2nd degree black belt. If you told me then I'd be one, I'd have laughed you out of existence.

I wish the taekwondo bug had bitten me much earlier.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Aug 6 at 2015 6:17 AM

2015-08-06T06:17:33-04:00

I am actually more passionate about my health and fitness after leaving the military. A recent bout with gastritis made me rethink my life. I've lost most of the 40 pounds I put on, started exercising, and enrolled in the VA's MOVE clinic which is sessions with a registered dietician.

Response by SCPO David Lockwood made Aug 6 at 2015 6:22 AM

2015-08-06T06:22:16-04:00

I have to admit that I let myself go for the past 7 years. But now I am back in the gym andworking out. I want to make sure I'm around for a long time!